Holder device

ABSTRACT

The holder device has an elongate member ( 12 ) that has an upwardly protruding tip ( 14 ). A holder segment ( 16 ) is attached to a side edge ( 18 ) of the elongate member. The holder device has an upper section ( 20 ) extending over the member ( 12 ) to an opposite side edge ( 23 ). The elongate member ( 12 ) has an upper surface ( 24 ) with a high friction area ( 26 ) disposed thereon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a holder device such as a finger-mounted holder device. More particularly, one version of the holder device may be used as an eraser for whiteboards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When using whiteboards and other display boards, it is common to use the fingers to erase text and other information from the whiteboard because there may be no eraser available. The erasing with the fingers makes the fingers dirty and they are difficult to wash clean.

There is a need for a more effective way of erasing information from whiteboards and other boards without making the fingers dirty. There is also a need for a holder for other applications such as caulking and for a holder that may be used to hold an item such as a pen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention provides a solution to the above-outlined problems. More particularly, the holder device has an elongate member that has an upwardly protruding tip. A holder segment is attached to a side edge of the elongate member. The holder device has an upper section extending over the member to an opposite side edge. The elongate member has an upper surface with a high friction area disposed thereon to make sure a finger or pen is properly held within the holder device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an elevational rear view of the holder of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational side view of the holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the holder of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the holder of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the holder of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the holder device 10 of the present invention has an elongate application member 12 with an upwardly bent front tip 14. A finger holder element 16 is attached to or integral with a side edge 18 of the elongate member 12 and extends upwardly and includes an upper section 20 that is rounded and extends over the member 12 so that an upper edge portion 25 is disposed straight above an opposite side edge 23 so that the upper section 20 has a concave inside surface 21. In this way, a finger-receiving opening 22 is defined by an upper surface 24 of the member 12, the element 16 and the inside surface 21 of the upper section 20.

The upper surface 24 has a high friction area 26 disposed between the front tip 14 and the element 16. The friction area 26 may have a plurality of elongate slits or openings 28 or a raised surface or any other method of increasing the friction between the upper surface 24 and a finger 30. The finger 30 is used as an illustrative example because the holder 10 may be used to hold a pen or any other item also. The section 20 urges the finger 30 towards the friction surface 26 as a finger tip 31 of the finger 30 is pushed to rest on the upwardly bend front tip 14 to firmly hold the finger in place. The tip 14 prevents the finger from sliding too far forward. The upper surface 24 may have a concave shape to better conform to the shape of the finger 30. The fact that the section 20 does not extend all the way to the side edge 23 makes it easier to insert a pen or a finger into the opening formed therebetween by urging the tip 25 away from the upper surface 24 of the member 12 so that the finger is clamped inside the opening 22. It may also be possible to provide the inside surface 21 with a high friction material also, if required.

The member 12 has as underside surface 32 that may include a suitable dry erasure material 34 such as a cloth. The material may also be a sandpaper layer. The holder may also be used for evening out caulking or other soft/conformable materials. The material 34 may extend under the front tip 14 also. Optionally, the upper surface 24 and the upper section 20 may include suitable advertisement information so that the device 10 may be used as a give-away product.

The device 10 may be used to erase text form whiteboards and other such boards with erasable information. The device 10 may also be used for painting, grinding or any other suitable application. The device 10 may also include a magnet so that it can easily be attached to the whiteboard.

It may also be possible to provide the member 12 with a tip that is bent downwardly so that the finger tip 31 can be bent over the downwardly bent tip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a holder device 50 that is virtually identical to the device 10 except that the device 50 has extra holders 52, 54 so that the device 50 is more firmly held on the finger. As indicated above, the elongate member 12 may have a concave upper surface.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a holder device 60 that is virtually identical to the device 10 except that the device 60 has a wider upper section 62 that does not have a narrowing end section.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holder device 70 that has an elongate upper section 72 under which the finger may be placed.

While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A holder, comprising: an elongate member (12) having an upwardly protruding tip (14); a holder segment (16) in operative engagement with a side edge (18) of the elongate member, the holder having an upper section (20) with an edge portion (25) extending over the member (12) to be disposed above an opposite side edge (23); and the elongate member (12) having an upper surface (24) with a high friction area (26) disposed thereon.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the high friction area (26) is disposed between the protruding tip (14) and the holder segment (16).
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the upper surface (24) is concave.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member (12) has upwardly protruding holders (52, 54) attached at the opposite side edge (23).
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein the device has an upper section (72) that is elongate and extends along a length of the elongate member (12) and over the high friction area (26).
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member (12) has an underside (32) with a dry erasure surface (34). 